Top 14 basement side Lyon have announced the signing of Sebastien Chabal on the day the transfer window opens in the Top 14 Orange.

Chabal left Racing Metro back in February and played a one off match for Belmain in Australia. Since then his signature has been linked with Stade Francais but it is Lyon who have won the race for the 34-year-old. However, with Lyon lying at the foot of the Top 14, there is every chance that Chabal will be playing in France's second division next season.

A host of transfers are expected to be announced in the coming days with Racing Metro set to sign Dimitri Szarzewski and Napolioni Nalaga reportedly on his way back to Clermont Auvergne, according to reports in Midi Olympique.

One other move which looks to have been completed is Chris Masoe's switch from Castres to Toulon. Toulon's president Mourad Boudjellal has told French radio station RMC that coach Bernard Laporte pushed for the former All Blacks' signature.

"This weekend we're playing a very good Castres team with a captain, Chris Masoe, that will wear the Toulon jersey next year," Boudjellal said. "We noticed him three years ago but Tana Umaga was very hesitant because we already had Jerry Collins.

"He's been a star for Castres and was a priority for Bernard Laporte. He did more than insist on having him. We he came to visit Toulon, the weather was on our side. He was seduced by the region, the town and our project."

Castres, in turn, have announced a host of new signings. Worcester Warriors flyer Marcel Garvey will swap Sixways for the Top 14 while Pedrie Wannenburg moves from Ulster to fill the void left by Masoe at No.8. They have also bolstered their back-row options with the recruitment of Brive's South African No.8 Antonie Claassen.